The Minstrel's Prayer

And all these stupid silly songs

Keep trying to catch your ear

I'm trying desperately

It's just so hard to persevere

And even if you listened

I never had much to say

Cause it's the same old song

I've written for the day

Shelter me oh genius words

Just give me strength

Just to pen these things

And give me peace to well her wings

And oh, oh carry on all you minstrels of the world

We will catch our ladies ear

We will win for us the girl

All these minstrels through the ages

That is really all we are

Simply singing for the girl

That makes us try so very hard

To craft the perfect limerick

To wield unending woe

To write such silly songs

And the difference never know

Shelter me oh genius words

Just give me strength

Just to pen these things

And give me peace to well her wings

And oh, oh carry on all you minstrels of the world

We will catch our ladies ear

We will win for us the girl

And I'll hold on to the dream

Of this beggar's plea and optimistic fantasy

Just hold the hand and drop the knee

You're facing love

You're embracing melody

Shelter me oh genius words

Just give me strength

Just to pen these things

And give me peace to well her wings

And oh, oh carry on all you minstrels of the world

We will catch our ladies ear

We will win for us the girl

And carry on, oh carry on all you minstrels of the world

We will catch our ladies ear

We will win for us the girl!

- "The Minstrel's Prayer" by Cartel

Wanderer, entertainer, bringer of good will and merriment - such was the way of the Minstrel. They sung their songs, told their tales, and strung their harps throughout Medieval Europe, creating an image for themselves that has inspired countless individuals - J.R.R Tolkien included, who cast several of his fictional characters as minstrels. They were kept in royal courts and wandered the countryside, looking for audiences to captivate with their stories and songs of adventure and drama. Some have even been immortalized as figures of history, such as Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of The Canterbury Tales. The Renaissance was the certain call for the minstrel; as it ushered in a new era of discovery, it also ushered out the old ways of the Middle Ages, and the minstrel along with it. But still, there are some, even today, who choose to honor the timeless, musical tradition the minstrel established so long ago. 

As we enter the new year, one of my resolutions is to really crack down on the progress of my main character, Ellishul the Minstrel. She's still not at level cap, and I've been deeding like mad to get her the proper traits to really boost her healing abilities. Among those things, I have also been trying my hand at creating an outfit that truly defines her as a character. Over the course of last weekend, I went through my entire cosmetic collection, looking for the perfect outfit that screamed "MINSTREL." I sifted through dyes and mixed and matched every piece of clothing I had. I did some sparse research into what minstrels of the Middle Ages wore - which was a gradual evolution from simple peasant garb to wildly colored attire with diamond-shaped patterns that resembled a Joker in a deck of cards (probably what inspired the vibrant Steed of the Minstrel). At last I settled with an all-purple outfit made of items both old and new. The vibrant colors and flamboyant design really appealed to me - I have always thought of my elf-minstrel as a cheerful person who is always looking for ways to make the best out of any situation, and this outfit matched her wonderfully. It also goes very well with the Steed of the Minstrel. 

I hope everyone enjoys it!

• Head: Fancy Plumed Hat (Lotro Store)
• Shoulders: Shoulders of the Mighty Verse (Moria, 21st Hall, Minstrel Barter Item) 
• Back: Cloak of the Unwelome Guest (Great River quest reward)
• Chest: Elven Leather Jacket (Rivendell Medium Armor Vendor)
• Gloves: Pever-Durnvol (Dunland Drop)
• Leggings: Elven Leather Leggings (Rivendell Medium Armor Vendor)
• Feet: Gardening Boots (Farmer's Faire Vendor Reward)